Despite Community Support Del Taco Restaurants Forced to Close

Both local DelTaco locations closed permanently at 11 p.m. Thursday, in a financial move unrelated to efforts to demolish the "flying saucer" building in Midtown. Efforts continue to save the midcentury building from the wrecking ball. (KMOX/Michael Calhoun)

(KMOX/Michael Calhoun)

ST. LOUIS, MO. (KMOX) — Del Taco restaurants on South Grand and McCausland closed their doors Thursday night and their Chesterfield-based owner is thanking those that came to their defense.

“We’ve done everything in our power to keep these restaurants open and retain the jobs of 34 employees,” Pat Shields Operating Partner of DF Restaurants, LLC. said. “Despite the stable financial performance of these restaurants and the overwhelming support of the community, we have no choice but to close.”